Translating Socioenvironmental Influences on Neurocognitive Development and Addiction Risk (TranSINDA) (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DA 24 019

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 24 019

The Translating Socioenvironmental Influences on Neurocognitive Development and Addiction Risk (TranSINDA) (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity (RFA-DA-24-019) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant designed specifically as a planning award rather than a full research project award. Its purpose is to fund a limited set of preparatory activities that will position investigators to later compete for a larger R01 (or equivalent) NIH research grant. The scientific focus is on understanding how the early-life social environment shapes neurobehavioral development and, in turn, contributes to behaviors that are relevant to risk for substance use disorders (SUD). The NOFO emphasizes using animal models and longitudinal research designs to clarify the mechanisms linking early social experiences to later neurocognitive and addiction-related outcomes.

The key intent is to support the planning and development work needed to build a strong, feasible, and well-justified future study. Rather than funding a full-scale hypothesis-testing project, this R34 mechanism supports efforts such as refining the research framework, designing the overall approach, and generating the kind of technical or preliminary evidence that demonstrates readiness for a larger award. In practical terms, the NOFO is aimed at enabling teams to work through critical uncertainties before launching an R01-level project, including establishing feasibility of proposed methods, confirming validity of measures or models, and producing other qualifying results that strengthen the rigor and competitiveness of a subsequent application.

Scientifically, the opportunity is centered on “socioenvironmental influences” in early life, meaning social context and social experiences that occur during development and can leave long-lasting biological and behavioral effects. The NOFO seeks planning proposals that will lay groundwork for projects using animal models to probe causal and mechanistic pathways, along with longitudinal designs that can track development over time. The emphasis on longitudinal approaches signals interest in developmental trajectories, timing of exposure, and how early factors may translate into later risk-relevant behaviors. The ultimate target is better mechanistic understanding of how early social environments are biologically embedded and expressed through neurocognitive development and behaviors that elevate vulnerability to SUD.

Administratively, this is a grant funding instrument within NIH, listed under CFDA 93.279, and categorized in the broad activity areas of education and health. The NOFO is explicitly labeled “Clinical Trial Not Allowed,” which means applicants should not propose studies that meet NIH’s definition of a clinical trial; the work should remain within the bounds of planning, preclinical development, and non-clinical trial research preparation consistent with the R34’s intent here. The original closing date for the opportunity was 2023-11-09, and the listed award ceiling is $450,000. The funding opportunity record shows an expected awards field but does not provide a number in the supplied text.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types across government, higher education, nonprofit, and private sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), and Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized. This wide eligibility signals an intent to encourage participation from diverse institution types and settings, including organizations that serve populations historically underrepresented in biomedical research.

Overall, TranSINDA (R34) is best understood as a structured on-ramp to a future, larger mechanistic research program. It is meant for teams who have a compelling developmental addiction-risk question centered on early-life social environments and who need time and targeted resources to design a rigorous animal-model and longitudinal research strategy, test or validate key components, and assemble the evidence and infrastructure necessary to submit a competitive R01-level application.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Translating Socioenvironmental Influences on Neurocognitive Development and Addiction Risk (TranSINDA) (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-05-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-11-09. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $450,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA DA 24 019

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